Barton began his career with local sides Witton and Blackburn West End before joining Blackburn Rovers and playing for Blackburn in the first ever season of the Football League.

Barton won his only international cap for England in a game against Ireland on 15 March 1890. Barton scored one of the goals in England's 9-1 victory. Later that month he played in Blackburn's FA Cup final 6-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday.The following year he was again a member of Blackburn's FA Cup winning side, Rovers beating Notts County 3-1 in the final in March 1891.

In the first game of the 1891-92 season Barton was injured and did not return until the game against Stoke City in November 1891, by which time Geordie Anderson had been recruited to replace him. He suffered another injury which ended his football career after playing 40 league games for Rovers.